2017 School Magazine

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC REVIEW

a glimpse into the fun, dedication and talent of the music programme and gives Year 7 singers their first performance opportunity at the School. The intermediate musicians developed their ensemble-building on Saturday 18 February at the Intermediate Music Camp. This camp took place at the School and involved Wind Symphony, Chamber Winds, Albinoni Strings and Bartok Strings who all worked together to create beautiful sounds and a wonderful start to the year. The Annual autumn concerts then beautifully encapsulated the hard work of the instrumentalists in the three concerts held on Friday 3 March. These outstanding concerts featured junior, intermediate and senior instrumental ensembles. All the ensembles performed with heightened musicianship and provided a wonderful end to the Term’s concerts. The girls of Grammar Singers finished the Term in harmony at the Brisbane Grammar School annual choral concert on Tuesday 28 March in the Brisbane Grammar School Great Hall, the acoustics of which allowed for a resonant and awe-inspiring performance. The annual Brisbane Girls Grammar School Cathedral Concert kick started a busy Term II with the senior choirs, ensembles, quartet and soloists bestowing an outstanding performance in the Cathedral of St Stephens. Congratulations must go to all the featured performers. During the month of May, four of the choirs, bands and string ensembles also competed at St Peters Lutheran College for the Queensland Youth Music Awards (QYMA); an interschool competition. Intermediate and beginner ensembles also had a chance to show off their skills throughout the various May concerts — a series of smaller, yet equally impressive concerts. On Wednesday 3 and Saturday 6 May, two Junior Choir Workshops took place between Voices, Chorus and Vox, with also featured choirs from Mary MacKillop College and a chance to work with guest conductor and singer, Emma Dean. Wind Band and Wind Ensemble also took part in a similar activity in Week 5 with guests from Brisbane Grammar School.

After singing, playing and performing their hearts out, the girls of the 2017 music programme embraced one of Brisbane Girls Grammar School’s most successful years in music. This year, the three music captains endeavoured to incorporate the 2017 arts motto – Work the Quirk – into the music programme wherever possible by unifying the musicians across all Years and encouraging each ensemble to embrace and utilise their individuality while refining their musicianship. This goal subsequently exaggerated the spirit and festivity of the music programme making 2017 a year to remember for all the musicians. Term I started with a bang as all senior or auditioned string, band and choir ensembles developed their skills and relationships in their respective music camps. Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Vivaldi Players, started this bonding when they ventured to Watson Park, Dakabin from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 January. This wonderful experience enabled the girls to play, dance and most importantly, eat together as they established their ensemble bond and dynamic. The camp, however, did involve intensive work and dedication as the musicians completed a terms-worth of rehearsal in two days which culminated in a wonderful showcase to the parents and families of the students. The choristers of Chamber Singers, Grammar Singers and Encore participated in a camp similar to that of the instrumentalists, however, the camp took place in the familiar CLC from Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 February. Each ensemble worked tirelessly to achieve the best sound they could in the jam-packed time they were given and team-bonding activities (that largely involved lollies!) were filtered throughout rehearsals, each placing an emphasis of inter-ensemble bonding to unify the entire choir cohort. Both camps culminated in the Welcome to New Families Concert at which Symphonic Winds, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Singers and the massed junior choirs were able to showcase the hard work they had already completed in just four weeks of rehearsals. This annual concert gives new parents

114 | CO-CURRICULUM | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2017